but we can’t eliminate them entirely.”
“ How about negotiating with the Nazis?” reminded the chairman.
“ As to negotiating with the Nazis: They are disgusting, but in this time-line the bulk of the Holocaust hasn’t happened yet and, as crazy as they are, we hope we can bend them to our will. And if they don’t bend, we have the power to break them and we will not hesitate using it. As to our planned method of contacting them, we will do it in the most direct and forceful way. We don’t plan on negotiating with them in the usual sense of the word. It will be more of a ‘do what we tell you or die’ kind of negotiation.”
There were more questions, mostly clarifications of issues that were presented to the full Knesset earlier in the day. The meeting closed with all the committee members if not explicitly agreeing with the government’s policies, at least not opposing them actively.
Amos Nir was satisfied.
***
Thomas Harvey was both flattered and offended. He was the only ambassador to have a private meeting with the Foreign Minister. This put him ahead of everybody else, and he was sure that the U.S. ambassador in particular was annoyed. On the other hand, he was pulled into the meeting somewhat unceremoniously by a Foreign Ministry guard. He decided he was more flattered than offended. These were hectic times for the Israelis; he’ll give them some leeway.
“ Ambassador, I am glad you could see me on such short notice,” the Foreign Minister said when Harvey was led into his office. “We have things to discuss which I hope will benefit both our countries greatly. Of course your country, the British Empire, is not the same as the U.K. you represented, but I hope that you are loyal to the crown that exists in the here and now.”
Harvey was perplexed. “Minister, you announced just a couple of minutes ago that all the ambassadorial credentials are null and void. Did I misunderstand you?”
“ You did not. I assume that your loyalty does not depend on your credentials?”
“ Sir, I am a loyal subject of the Queen, er… King.” Harvey said uncertainly.
“ In that case, let’s get to business. Let me update you on what has been happening in the last day or so.” Harvey appreciated this personal briefing. After all, this country was under British rule now, in 1941. He didn’t think the Israelis had realized that. The Minister told the ambassador about the events in Syria and the contact that was made with General Wilson.
“ Now we come to the interesting part,” he continued. “We would like to invite the general for a visit and it would be appropriate for the British embassy to host him for dinner. If you don’t wish to host him, we will skip that part, but I think it will be an advantage to everybody if you do so.”
Thomas Harvey was at a loss for words. This was not what he had expected. “I will certainly be happy to host General Wilson. I wonder though, aren’t you afraid that the embassy will give him information that you’re trying to protect?”
“Ambassador, it is a pleasure doing business with you. I always thought that you were perceptive and wise. You are right; we would be very upset if certain information got out. Some of it may also be catastrophic for the British Empire. I have no idea what would happen if your current leaders knew with certainty that they are going to win this war. Will they try to lessen their efforts and direct more of them to preserving the Empire, thus losing the war as a result? Since the future of this world hasn’t been set yet, anything is possible.” He paused to let Harvey digest this point of view, which certainly the pompous ambassador hadn’t considered.
“ There are myriad unexpected results to any piece of information that gets out. I suggest that only three or four people attend the dinner with General Wilson - the two of us, the Defense Minister and possibly one of our generals just to keep General Wilson
“ How about negotiating with the Nazis?” reminded the chairman.
“ As to negotiating with the Nazis: They are disgusting, but in this time-line the bulk of the Holocaust hasn’t happened yet and, as crazy as they are, we hope we can bend them to our will. And if they don’t bend, we have the power to break them and we will not hesitate using it. As to our planned method of contacting them, we will do it in the most direct and forceful way. We don’t plan on negotiating with them in the usual sense of the word. It will be more of a ‘do what we tell you or die’ kind of negotiation.”
There were more questions, mostly clarifications of issues that were presented to the full Knesset earlier in the day. The meeting closed with all the committee members if not explicitly agreeing with the government’s policies, at least not opposing them actively.
Amos Nir was satisfied.
***
Thomas Harvey was both flattered and offended. He was the only ambassador to have a private meeting with the Foreign Minister. This put him ahead of everybody else, and he was sure that the U.S. ambassador in particular was annoyed. On the other hand, he was pulled into the meeting somewhat unceremoniously by a Foreign Ministry guard. He decided he was more flattered than offended. These were hectic times for the Israelis; he’ll give them some leeway.
“ Ambassador, I am glad you could see me on such short notice,” the Foreign Minister said when Harvey was led into his office. “We have things to discuss which I hope will benefit both our countries greatly. Of course your country, the British Empire, is not the same as the U.K. you represented, but I hope that you are loyal to the crown that exists in the here and now.”
Harvey was perplexed. “Minister, you announced just a couple of minutes ago that all the ambassadorial credentials are null and void. Did I misunderstand you?”
“ You did not. I assume that your loyalty does not depend on your credentials?”
“ Sir, I am a loyal subject of the Queen, er… King.” Harvey said uncertainly.
“ In that case, let’s get to business. Let me update you on what has been happening in the last day or so.” Harvey appreciated this personal briefing. After all, this country was under British rule now, in 1941. He didn’t think the Israelis had realized that. The Minister told the ambassador about the events in Syria and the contact that was made with General Wilson.
“ Now we come to the interesting part,” he continued. “We would like to invite the general for a visit and it would be appropriate for the British embassy to host him for dinner. If you don’t wish to host him, we will skip that part, but I think it will be an advantage to everybody if you do so.”
Thomas Harvey was at a loss for words. This was not what he had expected. “I will certainly be happy to host General Wilson. I wonder though, aren’t you afraid that the embassy will give him information that you’re trying to protect?”
“Ambassador, it is a pleasure doing business with you. I always thought that you were perceptive and wise. You are right; we would be very upset if certain information got out. Some of it may also be catastrophic for the British Empire. I have no idea what would happen if your current leaders knew with certainty that they are going to win this war. Will they try to lessen their efforts and direct more of them to preserving the Empire, thus losing the war as a result? Since the future of this world hasn’t been set yet, anything is possible.” He paused to let Harvey digest this point of view, which certainly the pompous ambassador hadn’t considered.
“ There are myriad unexpected results to any piece of information that gets out. I suggest that only three or four people attend the dinner with General Wilson - the two of us, the Defense Minister and possibly one of our generals just to keep General Wilson
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